Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502 near West, TX — 2016-05-14

Final reportCEN16LA181
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Date
2016-05-14
Location
West, TX, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502
Registration
N1546Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to see and avoid cellular tower guy wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate at low altitude.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate at low altitude.

NTSB narrative

After completing an aerial application flight, the commercial pilot was returning to the base airport over 15 nautical miles away when the airplane impacted terrain and was consumed by a postimpact fire. Although the wreckage was significantly fragmented and damaged by fire, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine were noted that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the accident site and wreckage revealed cellular tower guy wire and right wing damage that was consistent with the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the guy wires while intentionally flying at a low altitude in visual meteorological conditions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low altitude near cellular tower guy-wires.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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